Corso Italia is Pisa’s main shopping street, running through the heart of the city’s San Martino district from near the Arno to Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II. Mostly pedestrianised and lined with shops and cafés, it is a lively contrast to the monumental surroundings of the Leaning Tower: a place where students, residents and visitors cross paths throughout the day.
The street forms part of a long-standing route between the riverfront and the area around Pisa Centrale station. At its northern end, Ponte di Mezzo connects it to the historic centre across the Arno. The bridge is also the setting for the Gioco del Ponte, a traditional contest held in June in which teams representing opposing parts of the city push against each other on a central track.
Visit Corso Italia to browse high-street names and smaller shops, pause for an espresso or join the late-afternoon passeggiata. The surrounding streets are worth exploring too: a short detour towards the station brings you to Keith Haring’s colourful Tuttomondo mural on the church of Sant’Antonio Abate. Look out for cecina, the savoury chickpea flatbread popular along the Tuscan coast, at local bakeries and pizzerias.
The Corso is an easy walk from Pisa Centrale and makes a useful route towards the river and Piazza dei Miracoli. Mornings are generally quieter for browsing, while late afternoon brings more atmosphere. Shop hours vary, especially on Sundays and around lunch, so check ahead if you have a particular store in mind.